'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' - Opens in London

There is a new kid in town. His name is Jamie New and he is not someone who are going to easily forget!

‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ has just transferred to the West End after a critically acclaimed run in Sheffield and so I went along to check it out.

The musical tells the story of 16 year old Jamie New, who having already come out as gay, decided to be wants to be a drag queen and wear a dress to his school prom. Based on the BBC documentary from 2011 called ‘Jamie: Drag Queen at 16’, this musical flies the flag for Britain with its homegrown cast and creatives, led by the daring, John McCrea, in the title role of Jamie.

The act openers of ‘Don’t Even Know it’ and ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ really sell the spirit of the show - about being true yourself and believing in your dreams. However not to be overlooked is stunning ballad, ‘He’s My Boy’ sang by Josie Walker, playing Jamie’s Mum. A ballad packed full of passion and pride for her son, there is not a dry eye left in the house.

For those musical lovers, the show has real echoes of ‘Matilda’, ‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Kinky Boots’ and ‘Billy Elliot’ with its working class humour and rebellious spirit. But this show is also so fresh in many ways. From the sublime lighting (the heartbeat of the show), to the wonderful hip hop choreography by Kate Prince. Writer, Tom MacRae has done a sterling job conveying the emotion and humour required to get us all to love Jamie. Coupled with Dan Gillespie’s catchy score and by the end of the show, the audience is on their feet.

So whilst you are patiently waiting for more tickets for ‘Hamilton’ to be released, do yourself a favour and get yourself a ticket to Jamie. It won’t disappoint!